Senator-judges to wear new, ‘more comfortable’ robes during Corona trial

MANILA, Philippines—Some senator-judges weren’t “happy” with the old, red robes and requested for new ones that “are comfortable” to wear.

Come the formal opening of the impeachment trial of Supreme Court chief Justice Renato Corona on Monday next week, they will be wearing newly designed maroon-colored robes.

Impeachment court spokesperson Valentina Cruz said the senators, who will sit as judges in the impeachment trial of Corona, requested for new robes because “some of them didn’t like the old robes.”

“So new robes have been ordered for them,” Cruz said during a press briefing.

Asked why the senators did not like the red robes, the spokesperson said, “I think not everybody was happy with the original robes given to them.”

Senator Gringo Honasan confirmed that some of his colleagues were complaining because they were uncomfortable with the old robes.

“Ang gusto nila ’yong makakagalaw ng maluwag…’yong mas komportable (What they wanted was a robe in which they can move more freely…one that is more comfortable),” Honasan said over the phone.

From fiery red, Cruz said the color has been changed to maroon. The senators wore the red robes only once when the impeachment court formally convened last December.

Cruz also said the new robes are made a “different material” and that the “design is similar but not exactly the same.”

The new robes, she said, would be ready by Saturday, or two days before the start of the trial.

Cruz was quick to point out that the budget for the new robes didn’t cost much. “I think the expense is not very much—minimal only.”

Besides, she said, the senators have expressed their intention to always wear the robes during the trial.

Honasan, however, doubts whether his colleagues will wear the robes at all times, based on his experience when he served as one of the judges in the impeachment trial of then President Joseph Estrada.